Last week was the ABA TECHSHOW 2023 in Chicago. I am partial to this show–it’s my favorite of the legal technology shows I attend. It’s my favorite not only because it’s put on by the ABA Law Practice Division, of which I am the current Chair (Yes, I know. I can’t be impartial about this). But it was my favorite even before I became Chair or commenced a leadership position in the Division. I have written about TECHSHOW several times, here, here, and here.
TECHSHOW is geared more toward smaller firms and solo lawyers. There is less high-power selling and nerd speak. There is more education, training and discussion. There is space for more substantive discussions and learning from vendors. People are less interested in sales and more interested in learning.
Indeed, one of the best things about TECHSHOW is that it’s an opportunity to get a lot of information about tech products in one place. To see some and use the products in the exhibit hall.
Unlike other shows, this one is geared toward those who need it the most: lawyers and legal professionals who need hands-on information. Information not filtered by sophisticated nerd speak from those who are never in a courtroom.
The Law Practice Division itself is all about serving and helping its members and the bar as a whole
The Law Practice Division itself is all about serving and helping its members and the bar as a whole. This vibe-service and helping—is present throughout every TECHSHOW.
The 2020 TECHSHOW was the last big legal tech show before everything shut down. The 2021 TECHSHOW was virtual as the pandemic continued to rage. The 2022 Show was part live, and part virtual. By the 2022 Show, people were just
